Call me cynical, but if all other Premier League results today were 0-0, with no shots on goal in any game. we still wouldn't be first, as there must be bigger stories than Saints being TOP OF THE LEAGUE!!!
It's not nonsense when we're sitting top of the league. If we're going to have any chance of qualifying for Europe, we don't need distractions. The FA Cup I'm happy to have a run at because matches are played on weekends and we might actually be able to attend the latter stages should we get there.
Well I have to say that was an amazing performance and one that we will all be remembering for many a long year. Here we are sitting at the very top of the PL with a brilliantly managed team that is really starting to tear it up. That was probably the best team performance we have had under Ralph so far and everyone played so well. I'm feeling so pleased for everyone on here and all those involved at Saints because I doubt many of us would have thought this would be possible. I also don't get the daft comments from the thick pundits that this year is very different so it doesn't count. Bollocks to that. It's the same for every team and Ralph and his raiders deserve to be where they are. The thing that most pleases me is the thought that all those disabled guys and girls we normally sit with at St Mary's will be over the moon with what is happening at Saints. They have it tough, very tough, and sometimes there isn't a lot for them to cheer on when they go, but they have stuck with it, moaning a bit when it was really dire, but they still went along hoping for a win. This is a great time for us and it's a great time for them even though we aren't there. One thing I'm pretty certain of is that one of the young disabled guys will have been shouting his lungs out last night with ..... "****ing Brilliant"
That’s what has really impressed me with Ralph and the club. They’ve got a group of players who are a TEAM as well as being individuals. I know footballers, generally, can be a bit selfish (not all, of course, before anyone jumps on me) but this tweet highlighting the team performance is typical of what is happening at St Mary’s. Yes, it happened before under Lawrie and Nigel, but I’m not sure I’ve seen such a performance when every player was supporting each other for a very long time. Yes, of course the media are now going to sell Ralph to a “big team” list our key players, but I feel that he has a point to prove and, provided he’s given reasonable backing, I’d like to think he has a plan to stay a while and make us a force. Let’s hope those agents with big chequebooks don’t come knocking and sniffing around to turn players heads. We don’t want a group of primadonnas like Manure have, we want a team who have pride in playing for Southampton FC!
Ralph was asked (prior to this match) about Saints grabbing the points and possibly being top of the league. His reply: Sometimes it's more fun to be a pirate than to join the Navy. A lot of happy pirates on here today.
Well said, Kaito! Such a great thought! If this cheers just one person up in these dark and desperate times, I, for one, will be super happy! To paraphrase FLT “I ****ing love football!”
It's probably already been mentioned/alluded to, but we won, without Danny (the player that everyone else thinks is our only forward) and without a JWP set piece goal, thus removing the pundit's usual lazy comments about us only scoring from free kicks. So, I'm not at all impatient, but what is Onionman waiting for?
I feel fairly confident that Djenepo was told NOT to be running at them tonight, to keep things calm. Partly because of what happened last time, but mainly because he had Stephens behind him. Lose the ball and leave Stephens exposed would be bad. On a related note Redmond hasnt been taking people on like he used to. Instruction from the boss, or a loss on confidence? Instead he has been retaining possession much more, as have the whole team.
Sometimes players in other teams (even those considered top players) pause to reflect or sulk if things don't go right for them....just for a moment, but enough for them to lose concentration. Ralph has got our players to dive straight back into the game and play for each other....those vital seconds can make all the difference...hence why we win lost balls, whilst the defender is still trying to sort his thoughts and feet out.
Interesting, Ralph saying that no crowds has helped the team's development. Wishes the crowds were back now to celebrate the success, but feels the players could develop with less pressure on them over the past few months . Hard to disagree with that when you compare last night with the last game v Newcastle before lockdown
Poor comparison. The crowd were right behind the players for that game after Djenepo's red in the first half. The late goal sucked the atmosphere from the crowd but up until then it was great.
